Josh Brolin

Born: February 12 1968
Where: Los Angeles, California, USA

The actor has provided sterling support in movies ranging from the sc-fi hit Hollow Man to Woody Allen's return to form Melinda and Melinda.

The son of Hollywood star James Brolin, he was raised on a ranch before moving in with his dad in LA and studying with Stella Adler.

He made his feature debut aged 17 in the 1985 comedy The Goonies and went on to appear in TV series as film, most notably The Young Riders on American TV.

Brolin made the transition from low-budget independent films to major feature with Bed of Roses, Flirting With Disaster alongside Ben Stiller and sci-fi horror Mimic.

In 1999, he appeared in the accomplished thriller Best Laid Plans and went on to play Matthew Kensington in Paul Verhoeven's Hollow Man.

Subsequent work included the underrated drama Milwaukee, Minnesota and he was cast by Woody Allen in the 2005 comedy Melinda and Melinda.

Off screen, Brolin is the stepson of Barbra Streisand and dated British actress Minnie Driver before marrying Diane Lane.